A workshop with a heritage slant and a modern twist - follow in the footsteps of Ellen Hutchins (1785-1815), Ireland’s first female botanist with Frances Gallagher (aquatic biologist) leading you through the process used by Ellen and her contemporaries to produce botanical specimens for identification purposes. The specimens are also beautiful and can be framed and hung.

The pressing technique has changed very little and most of the equipment is very similar, apart from one modern ingredient. Frances provides freshly collected seaweeds and all that is needed for you to undertake the process yourself and go home with a number of seaweed specimens to be dried.

With Frances Gallagher at the Work Shop, William Street, Bantry. Saturday 24th at 10am to 12:30pm.

€25 Booking required, via Eventbrite. An adult workshop which young people can attend - over 16's solo; over 12's accompanied by an adult participant.

Frances wrote the Seaweed Pressing Instructions available free on the Ellen Hutchins website:
https://ellenhutchins.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Seaweed-pressing-l…

Frances is assisted by Madeline Hutchins, Ellen’s great-great-grandniece, and photographs of Ellen’s seaweed specimens will be on display in the Work Shop.

Bring two or more pieces of A4 sized cardboard and a plastic bag to take your specimens home safely.

This event is part of the Ellen Hutchins Festival taking place 17th-25th August - full details of all the events here: https://ellenhutchins.com/event-listings-2/

Visit Bantry Library to see three of Ellen’s seaweed specimens in the Archives Cabinet on display there during the Festival.

Bookings: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/seaweed-pressing-workshop-tickets-948043823…
Frances is leading a seaweed event on Whiddy Island on Sunday 25th August. See separate listing.

Address
Work Shop, Co. Cork County